Paul Farbrace has informed Sussex Cricket of his decision to depart at the end of October, ending his four-year association with the club. The 59-year-old head coach will join Lancashire as director of cricket, taking up the position weeks before he was scheduled to assume a similar role at Hove on a part-time basis from November 1. Lancashire confirmed the appointment after Farbrace’s tenure at Sussex, where he oversaw significant achievements during his time.
Mark Chilton, who held the Lancashire director of cricket post for five years, departed the role last month, creating the vacancy that Farbrace will now fill. Farbrace was confirmed in July to switch roles from head coach to director of cricket at Sussex from November on a part-time basis, following the club’s financial difficulties announced in April.
“It is with mixed emotions that I am leaving Sussex after four years,” Farbrace was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“I will always be grateful to Sussex for giving me the honour of being head coach and allowing me to work with a fabulous group of players and staff,” he added.
Sussex’s achievements under Farbrace
During his time at Sussex, Farbrace guided the club to the County Championship Division Two title in 2024, securing promotion to the First Division for the first time in a decade. In the 2026 season, despite operating under a 12-point penalty, Sussex finished third in Division One, demonstrating competitive progress under his astute leadership. His appointment at Lancashire represents a significant change in direction for the Old Trafford outfit as it seeks to rebuild its competitive standing in England’s domestic cricket circuit.
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Lancashire’s recent struggles
Lancashire finished the 2026 County Championship season in seventh place within Division Two, marking a historic low point in the club’s history. The appointment of Farbrace signals the club’s intent to reverse this decline and restore competitive standards at Old Trafford. His experience and understanding of County cricket will certainly help Lancashire in the seasons to come.
